Welcome to STARFISH DESIGNS! I hope you enjoy browsing ideas and inspirations for your home and your life! I love all things French! Everyday is a special day....enjoy your life and the gifts that God has given you!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Happy Kitchen....and Home!

Marimekko Fabric was used to brighten and cheerfully welcome this family into their kitchen. The fabric used is a classic Marimekko print that can be found on many items throughout their stores and in catalogs that carry Marimekko fabrics and products. It's a company with corporate offices in Finland and was first made popular in our country when Jacqueline Kennedy was about to move into The White House. She had been to Europe on a trip with her husband, the soon to be President, and purchased several Marimekko dresses and the rest was history! Kara, our daughter, worked as the store manager on the Upper East Side in New York City until recently and I am including a few photos from that store. When you enter the store, immediately, you are greeted with the bright and cheerful colors in their fabrics. It's a happy place and the longer you browse around, it's easy to forget your troubles (if you have any) by all the "bright" colors and fun products. I could stretch it a bit and say it's sort of like being encouraged by a friend who brightens your day. The friend that I made these curtains for, is a friend of Kacie's and their friendship brings strength and encouragement to each others lives by their kindnesses toward one another and their sharing of mothering tips. I wanted to make these for Becky, Kacie's friend, because she has been a true friend to Kacie sharing her love and her faith in the Lord.

Strength and Courage are used in the Bible in a way that is interestingly different from our human way of thinking. We think of a man or woman who does something courageous for someone else when they use their physical strength, which is a good thing, but Christ speaks of using our lives to strengthen and encourage others in our faith. The text I am referring to is found in I Thessalonians 3. Timothy, who was a friend and brother in Christ to Paul was sent to missionaries (those spreading the gospel of Christ) to strengthen and encourage those who were sharing their faith. He may have taken food or other supplies but his real presence in their life, and probably the words he spoke to them, were encouraging. Giving out daily, whether it be to a family or a job, a Christian has to be refreshed in order to stay strong and courageous. Love plays a big part in this refreshment. The love of Christ is constant and full of encouragement for us. God's love is compared to a father's love in the Scriptures....."encouraging, comforting and urging us to live lives worthy of God, who calls us into His kingdom and glory." I Thessalonians 2:12 Whatever you may face in your day, I hope that you can find strength in the Name of the Lord! Draw Near! Search for ways that you can encourage another today. Truly, when we encourage others we ourselves are encouraged! Listen to someone today for really it's better to listen and ask some questions than to know all the answers! Maybe, you will be strengthened and encouraged. I hope so! Have a blessed day!

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Spring and Your Skin

It's never too late to start taking care of your skin. Prevention and maintenance is the key. Use sunscreen, get plenty of rest, hydration is important, use moisturizer and pay attention to your overall health. Take care of that youthful appearance! Your skin "wears" your life, so make sure you treat it well!

Linens and Monograms

Marking linens is an age-old tradition, but in 19th century Europe, it became all the rage as the middle class began adapting the heraldry and crest of aristocracy. Women in preparation for marriage, embroidered their initials on everything from dish towels to tablecloths. Antique linens are not only beautiful, they also are very much in demand!

Coco Chanel and her inspiration.......

"How many cares one loses, when one decides not to be something, but to be someone." Coco Chanel

Pearls from Heaven by Mary Grace Birkhead

YOU CAN REST! Psalm 55:22 "You don't need to carry a burden. He wants you to have a light load. Take every thought captive. Hold each worry up to His light. He is able to lift the weight off you. Cast your cares on Him. He cares for you! So unpack your heavy bags and rest!"

A Collection of White Dishes~always!!!

You are not alone....

Do not be discouraged or afraid, even in times of trial. Instead live in peace and joy, trusting that God will take care of you.

Island Wisdom from Island Life by India Hicks

"Island time has a special speed to it. No hurry, no worry. Sundays are a special time. Taking the time to go to church and to be with The Lord. Miss Curlene says tell it to Jesus and your mind is better, keep calling on the Lord and you relax anytime."

Prayer

"O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night..... Nehemiah 1:5 First pray, then seek ways to help those who need you in their lives. Your home can be the very dwelling place of God! Now that is a beautiful and lovely home dear friend!

Welcome

I have always loved to create things of beauty that bring joy and happiness to others. My greatest inspiration comes from seeing my four daughters and my son live their lives in creative and productive ways. A positive outlook on life and a gracious spirit is the greatest energy found in a home or apartment. Enjoy browsing!!

Words to live by.....

Avignon, France

Words and Widsom from Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"It is a difficult lesson to learn today--to leave one's friends and family and deliberately practice the art of solitude for an hour or a day or a week. For me, the break is the most difficult. Parting is inevitably painful, even for a short time. It is like an amputation, I feel. A limb is being torn off, without which I shall be unable to function. And yet, once it is done, I find there is a quality to being alone that is incredibly precious. Life rushes back into the void, richer, more vivid, fuller than before. It is as if parting one did actually lose an arm. And then, like the star-fish, one grows it anew; one is whole again, complete and round--more whole, even than before"